Complete FMCSA Compliance Guide for Moving Companies
Everything you need to know about federal regulations for household goods carriers. Stay compliant, avoid fines, and protect your business.
DOT Registration
Every interstate moving company must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and obtain a USDOT number. This is your operating authority to transport household goods across state lines.
Key Requirements
- Apply for a USDOT number through FMCSA
- Obtain Motor Carrier (MC) number for interstate moves
- Register in the Unified Registration System (URS)
- Complete the BOC-3 process agent designation
- Update registration biennially
Insurance Requirements
FMCSA mandates specific insurance coverage levels for household goods carriers. Adequate coverage protects both your business and your customers.
Key Requirements
- Minimum $750,000 bodily injury and property damage liability
- Cargo insurance covering household goods in transit
- Workers' compensation as required by state law
- Released-value protection offered to all customers
- Full-value protection option available to customers
Bill of Lading (BOL) Requirements
The Bill of Lading is the contract between you and your customer. It must include specific information as required by federal regulations.
Key Requirements
- Shipper and carrier identification information
- Origin and destination addresses
- Detailed inventory of items being transported
- Agreed-upon charges and payment terms
- Valuation coverage selection and acknowledgment
- Pickup and delivery dates
- Signatures from both parties
Tariffs & Rate Sheets
Interstate movers must maintain published tariffs that list their rates, rules, and charges. These must be made available to customers upon request.
Key Requirements
- Published rate schedules for all services
- Accessorial charges clearly defined
- Written estimates provided before each move
- Binding vs. non-binding estimate disclosures
- 72-hour rule compliance for estimate delivery
Consumer Protection
FMCSA enforces consumer protection regulations to ensure fair treatment of customers. Violations can result in significant penalties.
Key Requirements
- Provide 'Your Rights and Responsibilities' booklet
- Written estimates before accepting shipments
- No hostage shipments — cannot hold goods for higher payment
- Complaint handling procedures in place
- Accurate advertising and marketing materials
- Maintain a dispute settlement program
How Elromco Helps You Stay Compliant
Compliance doesn't have to be complicated. Elromco automates the hard parts so you can focus on moving.
Electronic BOL (eBOL)
Generate compliant Bills of Lading automatically with all required fields pre-populated. Digital signatures, inventory lists, and valuation selections built in.
Automated Documentation
Every estimate, contract, and receipt is generated with compliant language and required disclosures. No manual paperwork to forget.
Valuation Coverage
Integrated ValuGuard provides proper valuation coverage options. Released-value and full-value protection presented to every customer automatically.
Complete Audit Trail
Every action is timestamped and logged. From first contact to final delivery, maintain a complete digital record for any compliance review.
Compliance Built In. Peace of Mind Included.
See how Elromco's built-in compliance features can protect your business.
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